Lord’s Day 44
Q114. Can people who have turned to God obey these commandments perfectly?
No. In this life, even the holiest people have only a small beginning of this obedience. But they seriously try to live by all of God's commandments, not just some of them.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Ecclesiastes 7:20
“For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.”
Romans 7:14–15
“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.”
1 Corinthians 13:9
“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.”
1 John 1:8
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
Psalm 1:1–2
“Blessed the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
Romans 7:22–25
“For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”
Philippians 3:12–16
“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but one thing , forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.”
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
Can anyone obey God's commandments perfectly in this life?
- 2
What does the catechism mean by "a small beginning of this obedience"?
- 3
Does it encourage you or discourage you to know that even the holiest people still struggle with sin?
Illustration
A child learning to play piano hits many wrong notes at first. Over years of practice, the wrong notes become fewer, but even professional pianists make mistakes. Christians grow in obedience their whole lives, and the progress is real even though perfection waits for heaven.
Application
Pick one commandment you find difficult and pray about it each morning this week. Ask the Holy Spirit for help. Because even mature believers are still growing, do not be discouraged by failure. Confess it, receive grace, and keep going.